Air conditioner



Dec. 3, 1940. E. F. LIMBERS 2,223,492

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AIR CONDITIONERv Filed Jan. 11, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 s g R V Earl .fiz mens INVENTO ATTORNEYS WITNESS I Dec. 3, 1940. UMBERS I 2,223,492

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I WITNEll E. F. LIMBERS AIR CONDITIONER Filed Jan. 11, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS Dec. 3, 1940. E. F. LIMBERS 2,223,492

AIR CONDITIONER Filed Jan. 11, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEYS WITNESS Dec. 3, 1940- E. F. LIM BERS AIR CONDITIONER Filed Jan. 11. 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR S Y E N R O T T A WITNESS- Dec. 3, 1940. a F. LIMBERS AIR commons Filed Jan. 11, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Zarlli'lz'mbans;

WITNIII Patented Dec 3, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,223,492 AIR CONDITIONER Earl F. Embers, Castle Shannon, Pa. Application January 11, 1939, Serial No. 256,434 4Claims. ((1237-48) My invention relates to buildings, and has among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved air conditioning system, which system includes novel means for heating and cooling water.

Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line 3-6 of Figure Figure 4 is a sectional view along the line 4-4 of Figure 1; 15 Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 but seetioned in a different plane;

Figure 6 is a sectional view along the line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a sectional view along the line 20 of Figure 1; t

Figure 8 is a sectional view along the line 6--6 of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary detail view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Figure l; 25 Figure 16 is a sectional view along the line i6--l6 of Figure 5;

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view in perspective illustrating the manner in which the invention 'may be incorporated in a building; and

30 Figure 12 is a sectional detail view of a burner unit.

In the embodiment selected to. illustrate my invention, I make use of an air conditioner l6 which includes a base I2 to be mounted on the 35 floor i4, preferably in the basement of the building. Base l2 includes a floor i6 and a top plate i6 spaced therefrom to provide a chamber 26. Floor i6 and the top plate II are interconnected into a unitary structure through the medium of 40 end walls 22 and 24 and side walls 26 and 26.

These parts may be welded into connected relation. Upon the top plate I6 I mount a motor 66, which motor operates a blower 62, which may be of conventional design, operatively connected 45 with a filter 64 for the inlet of basement air. Filter 64 extends through an opening 26 in a door 36 hinged at 46 to the side wall 42- of the conditioner i6.

Blower 62 includes an air discharge neck '44 50 which communicates with a header 46, see Figures 1 and 4. A plurality of pipes 46 has communication with the header 46 and communicates with the interior of a shell 56, see Figures 4 and 1. Shell 56 is of substantially U-shaped 65 configuration, and the pipes 46 deliver fresh air to the shell at the upper end of its branch 52, see Figures 1, 4 and 5. Air delivered to the shell passes downwardly of the branch 62, as indicated by the arrows 64 and passes through the curved run 66 which interconnects the branch 52 with 5 a larger branch 66. Air moves upwardly through the branch 66 and is delivered to a plurality of pipes 66 which extend downwardly and pass through the top plate i6. Shell 66 constitutes a heat exchanger which functions to partly heat the air passing therethrough.

Figures 2, 5 and 6 illustrate the runs 01' the pipes 66 extending into the chamber 26 as being horizontally arranged at 62 and passed through the end wall 22 for delivering air intothe conduit 15 64 extending across that end of the conditioner. Walls 26 and 26, see Figures 2 and 6, cooperate with the bottom it to provide conduits 66 through the medium of angular plates 66. Conduits 66 communicate with the conduit 64, as illustrated in Figure 2. Air delivered to the conduit 64 is delivered to both conduits 66 and flows therein in the direction of the arrows 16 into conduits 12 extending along the end wall 24 and communicating with a central conduit 16 provided with 25 a throat 16 for.- delivering the air to a heating chamber 66, see Figures 2, 5 and 8. Chamber 66 brings the air to the proper temperature for delivery to the rooms to be heated.

Air from the chamber 66 flows through two necks 62 for delivery into horizontal conduits 64, see Figures 5 and 8. One end of each of the horizontal conduits 64 delivers air tor-a larger conduit 66 which has communication with a rectangularly fashioned conduit 66 through themedium of necks 66, see Figures 10, 5 and '7. The

opposite ends of the conduits 64 have communication with the run 62 of the rectangular conduit 66 through the medium of necks 64, see'Figures 5,6 and '7. Run 62 of the conduit 68 connects40 with a main conduit 66 which connects with theconduits for delivering air to the rooms to be heated.

Room air is circulated back through the conditioner i6 through a conduit 66 which is located outside the conduit 66, but is spaced therefrom sufficiently far to provide the necessary accommodation for air circulation. Conduit 66 communicates with a rectangularly shaped conduit I66 which also encloses the rectangular conduit 66. While the four runs of the rectangular conduit I66 have intercommunication at their ends, the runs have additional intercommunication through the medium of conduits I62, I64, I66 and I66, best illustrated in Figure 7. Conduits I62,

I04, I06 and I08 are joined at I I and communicate with a plurality of downwardly extending pipes II2, see Figures '7, 4 and 6. The lower ends l of the pipes II2 are connected with a header H4 5 which communicates with a neck II6 having communication with the suction side of a blower I I8 operated by the motor 30, see Figure 1. Blower I I8 delivers air to a header I20 having communication with a plurality of pipes I22. Headers I24 have communication with the pipes I22. half .the pipes leading to one headerjand the other half leading to the other header, as shown in Fig. 6. Each header is connected with a larger downwardly extending pipe I26, each of which is enclosed in a housing I28 and passes through the top wall I8; Each horizontal run I30 of the pipes I26 is connected-with one burner unit I32.

located inside the chamber 20, see Figures 1, 2 and 8.

Burner units I32 are located in close relation with the side walls 26 and 28. The units are identical in construction and operation so that the description of one will apply to both. Referring to Figures 1,2, 8 and 12, eachunit comprises concentrically related tubular walls I34 and I36, which walls are connected into spaced, unitary structure through the medium of radial tubes I38, see Figure 12. The run I of the associated pipe I26 has communication with. the

30 [space I 40 between the walls I34 and I36 through, the medium of a plurality of ports I42. Space I40 has communication with the space I44 in a heat exchanger wing I46. Figure 2 illustrates the wing as being made up of spaced walls I48 closed along the side I50 but open along the side I52.

- Walls I48 are separated to provide the space I44,

and flues I54 extend through the walls I48.

Air entering the space I passes intothe ex! changer I 46 and circulates about the fines I54 40 and flows from the exchanger through the open side I52. Such air is heated to a high temperature through the mediumot the burner unit I32. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the burner unit as in- V cluding a conventional fuel nozzle I56 operatively connected with a i'uel line I58. Nozzle I56 is supplied with' air under pressure through the medium of theconduit I60 which connects with one. of the pipes I26, see Figure 1. Nozzle I56 is axially aligned with the cylindrical wall I34.

The wall assembly of Figure 12 is closed at its and opposite the nozzle I56. Thus the cylindrical wall I34 constitutes a combustion chamber associated with its respective nozzle I56, and the burnt products of combustion pass from the combustion chamber through the medium of the tubes I 38, It will thus be seen that air flowing through the run 30 of the associated pipe I26 -flows about the wall I 34 and is confined thereabout through the medium of the wall I36. Thus 0 the air passing through the space I40 will be effectively heated. before it is delivered to the exchanger wing I46. Much of the burnt products oi combustion from the burner passes upwardly through the fiues I54 and additionally heat the 5 air before it exits from the exchanger through the medium of the open side I52. 4

Air. which exits from the exchanger wings I46 flows upwardly through tubes I62 extending vertically through the heating chamber 80, see Figures 3, 5 and 8 for heating the fresh air, flowing therethrough for delivery to the main conduit 96. From the tubes I62 the burnt air is delivered to a chamber I64, see Figures 5 and 8, which chamber has communication with three communicating conduits I66, see Figures 7 and 8,

type and may be associated with conventional tions I for connection with appliances to be the branch 58. Header 238 has communication.

through the medium of elbows I68. Conduits m lcommunicate with a conduit I10 of rectangular extending upwardly of the wall structure H8 or the building and provided with valved connec 15 operated by compressed air.

In Figures 1, 3 and 8, I illustrate a hot water storage tank I82 which is supplied with water. trom'the city pressure line I84 through the medium of a water filter I86 having a pipe I88 connected with coils I90 wrapped about heating tubes I92 mounted on a plate I94. Burner nozzles I96 are located beneath the heating tubes I92, the latter,being perforated and arranged in V axial alignment with ilues I98 extending .ver- 25 tically of the hot water storage'tank I82 and" communicating with a chamber 200. ,The burnt products of combustion from the burner nozzles I96 are delivered to "the chamber 200 and the latter communicates with one of the conduits I66 through the medium or, elbows; 202. ;see

see Figures 1 and 8. Coils I90 are interconnected 35 4 and deliver water to the storage tank I82 through the medium of'a pipe 206, see Figure l.

The burner nozzles I96 are supplied with fuelv '7 through the medium of a pipe 208 which connects with the fuel line I58 andqnixing air is supplied by apipe 2I0 which is hooked into one or the pipes I60, which supplies air under-pressure to its respective burner unit I32. Burner nozzles I96 may be of any suitable conventional igniting means indicated generally at 2I2 in Figure 8. v

Water from the main line I84 is preferably delivered to the filter I86 at its bottom to avoid packing or the filter. The delivery of the water is controlled through valved connections 2 and 2I8. Near the bottom of the tank I82 I connect a pipe 2I8 which may be connected with branch 1 lines for distribution throughout the buildin as illustrated at 220 in Figure 11. V

Referring to Figure l, I connect a pipe 222 with the hot water pipe 206, which pipe leads to the upper part of a header 224 associated with the branch52, see Figure 4. Header 224has communication with 'a plurality of pipes 226. which pipes communicate with a header 228 located on the opposite side of the branch. The pipes 226are provided with spaced. heattransfer fins v230 between which the incoming iresh air passes. To the lower part of the header 228 leads to a cooling coil unit 234. A pipe 236 leads, from the bottom of the'cooling coil unit 234 up tothe upper part of a header 238 associated with with a plurality of pipes 240 in the branch 58 communicating with a header v242 on the opposite side of the branch. To the-lower part of v the header 242 I connect a pipe 244 which leads, to a second cooling coil unit 246. A pipe 248 connects 75 65' I connect a pipe 232, see Figures 5 and 6, which with the lower part of the cooling coil unit 246 for delivery with branch pipes throughout the building. .Figure 11 illustrates pipe 246 as being connected with a branch pipe 266 leading to the sink 252. Cooling coil unit 246 supplies ice water to the pipe 244. The cooling coil units234 and 246 are operatively connected with a conventional refrigeration unit 264, see Figures 5 and 6.

Pipes 246 in the branch 68, see Figure 4, are associated with a plurality of spaced fins 256 between which air from the branch 62 is circulated. Thus the air circulating through the branches 62 and 66 absorbs heat from the hot water passing through the two branches. Refrigeration units 234 and 246 cool the water in stages, with the water delivered to the pipe 246 effectively-cooled for drinking purposes.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof will be readily understood. Blower 32 of Figure 1 delivers air to the-pipes 46, which air circulates through the branches 5 2 and 68 to absorb heat.

from the water passing through the pipes 226 and 240, see Figure 4. From the branch 68, air is delivered to the pipes 60 which pass downwardly and enter the chamber 20 for delivery to the conduit 64 which communicates with the conduits 66. From the conduits 66 the air passes through the conduits I2 and I6 and through the throat I8, see Figure 2. Air moving through the throat I8 is delivered to the heating chamber and into the conduit 66 through the passages 60. Such air is then delivered to the main conduit 66 which is enclosed by the conduit I14, the latter being enclosed within the conduit 98, see Figure 7.

Referring to Figure 11, conduits 88, 96 and I14 are assembled in a unit conduit 256 which may be branched at 260 for connection with vertical conduits 262 leading to the rooms of the building. Conduits 262 are provided with outlets 264 near the ceilings of the difi'erent rooms for delivering warm airthereto. Similarly, the branches 262 are provided with inlets 266 which take air from the rooms for delivery into the conduit 96 leading back to the conditioner. At the same time, the branches 264 are provided with outlets 268 which deliver burnt air to the atmosphere. Main conduit 96 and all the branch conduits which deliver warm air to the .rooms are well insulated by being enclosed within the conduits returning air to the conditioner and are effectively heated by the surrounding air passed to the atmosphere.

Air from the 'rooms returning to the conditioner III is delivered tothe conduit I00, see Figure '7, which conduit communicates with the pipes II2 leading to the suction side of the blower II8, which blower moves the air through the pipes I22 which are connected with the larger pipes I26 leading to the burner units I 32. The burner units burn the air effectively so as to destroy germs and the like, which burnt air and the burnt products of combustion are delivered through the tubes or fiues I62 passing upwardly of the hot air chamber 80 for heating the fresh air passing therethrough. Burnt air from the fiues I62 is delivered to the chamber I64 which communicates with the conduit I14 through the medium of the conduits I66 and elbows I68. Burnt air delivered to the conduit I14 is exhausted through the ports 268 of Figure 11.

Burner units I92 in combination with the coils I effectively heat water from the main I84 which water moves upwardly for delivery into the storage tank I82 and to the pipe 222 for delivery to the pipes 226 and 240 of the branches 62 and 56. Cooling coil units 234 and 246 as well as the refrigerationunit may be of any suitable conventional construction. In-Figures 1, 4 and 5, I illustrate the pipes I26 as being provided with dampers 210 which may be manipulated for controlling the fiow of air to the burner units I32.

My system operates to effectively heat air for room heating purposes which air is eifectively insulated. Room air is returned to the conditioner to be burned and such burnt air is utilized for heating purposes and finally exhausted to the atmosphere. At the same time, water is eil'ectivelyheated, and the water heating system is arranged in heat transfer relation with the burner units I32. Some of the heated water is delivered to the branches i2 and 66 for transferring some heat to the incoming fresh air before it is delivered to the heating chamber 66. The conditioner constitutes a compact unit of cabinet configuration so as to displace 'a relatively small amount of space in the basement. Pipes 60 and the conduits 64 and 66 derive considerable heat from the chamber 20 in which the burner units I32 are located.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

1. A conditioner of the type described comprising a first air circulating circuit for delivering warm air to rooms to be heated, means for heating the air in the circuit, a second air circulating circuit for removing air from the rooms including means for heating the air to a high temperaturev and bringing the same into heat transfer relation with said first means. a third air circulating circuit for receiving air from said second circuit and delivering the same to the atmosphere, said third circuit having runs surrounding runs of said first circuit for heating the air flowing therethrough, and said second circuit having runs surrounding runs of said third circuit to constitute insulation therefor.

2. A conditioner of the type described comprising a first air circulating circuit for delivering warm air to rooms to be heated, means for heating the air in the circuit, a second air circulating circuit for removing air from the rooms including means for heating the air to a high temperature and bringing the same into heat transfer relation with said first means, a third air circulating circuit for receiving air from said second circuit and delivering the same to the atmosphere, said third circuit having runs surrounding runs of said first circuit for heating the air flowing therethrough, said second circuit having runs surrounding runs of said third citcult to constitute insulation therefor, and means for forcibly circulating air in said circuits.

3. A conditionerof the type described comprising a first air circulating circuit for delivering warm air to rooms to be heated, means for heating the'air in thescircuit, a second air cirthe air flowing therethrough, said second circuit having runs surrounding runs 01 said third circuit tojconstitute insulation therefor, means for forcibly circulatingair through saidcircuits. a, hot water storage tank. including a heater there-' ior, and means. associated with the heater for v directing burned vproducts of combustion from the heater into said third circuit.

4. A conditioner of the type described comprising a first air circulating circuit for delivering warm air to rooms to be heated, means for heatingtheair in the circuit, a second air cit-'- culating circ'uitior removing air from the rooms including means 'for heating the air to a high temperature and bringing transfer relation with said first means, a third the same into heat air circulating circuit for receiving air from said second circuitanddelivering the same to the atmosphere,. said third circuit having; runs-sub rounding runs of said first circuit ior heat ing the air flowing therethrough, 'said second circuit having runs surrounding runs of said third circuit to constitute insulation' therefor,

means for forcibly circulating air through said circuits, a hot water storage tank including a heater therefor, -means associated with" the heater for directingburned products oi combustion from the heater into said third circuit,-

and means for circulating hot water into heat transfer relation with the first-circuit. I

EARLELIMZBmS. a 

